READY SET UPDATE

As we pack up for the year, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the extraordinary year that we have had at Ready Set, to share and celebrate some of our achievements, and most of all, to say THANK YOU for your support.  It means a lot to us! 

I also want to take this opportunity to share our 2025 Annual Review which provides an overview of what we have achieved in FY2025.  

Here are some of the highlights of the year:

• Increased reach and impact - a 34% increase in individuals supported by us from the previous year and 47% increase in actual services delivered
• Increased referring provider network – a 93% increase in the number of providers we work with and who refer jobseekers to us. This is a mix of employment services, welfare and school providers.
• Implementation of innovative support service delivery models – through our Mobile Dressing Service (24 delivered this year!) and the launch of the FutureFIT program supporting young people in the Western region of Melbourne.
• Implementation of a sustainable business model that ensures our impact can not only continue but grow and thrive – a key tenet of our Strategic Plan.
• Greater visibility amongst the community via two features on Channel 9 and 7 and an increased supporter base via our social media and database.

• 1011 jobseekers with clothing and coaching and delivered 1270 individual services.
• 457 female, 549 male, 5 non-binary, (including 6 LBGTQIA+) jobseekers facing barriers to employment.
• Jobseekers of all ages - 18% were between the ages of 15-24, 56% were 25-44, and 26% were 45-65+.
• Other charities by on-donating at least 15,000 clothing items and thereby supporting a minimum of 2500 individuals.

• Our Mobile Dressing Services across Greater Melbourne in February.  To date, we have delivered 24 services, reaching 314 jobseekers of all ages and backgrounds (First Nations, young people, refugees and asylum seekers and long-term, disadvantaged unemployed) who would otherwise not access this kind of support.
• An innovative collaboration with another like-minded charity (Big Group Hug) supporting young people in Western Melbourne through our “FutureFIT” program – bringing them confidence and practical support through our styling and clothing service.
• Our first “Designer Salon” where we have hosted events to contribute to our fundraising endeavours.

• Our Career Coaching service with the addition of new resources on our online Career Hub, the release of a new edition booklet “The Secrets of a Successful Resume” via one of our talented career coaches and growth of our wonderful Career Coaching team. We also ran workshops for schools and a graduate program.
• Our network of referring agencies – a 93% increase in the number of providers who refer clients to us thereby extending our reach and support to those in need.
• Our Corporate Volunteering program with companies across Melbourne seeking to give back and provide fun and purposeful experiences for their staff.

• adapting to emerging needs – our Mobile Dressing Service is an example of this.
• strengthening our financial position through diversified income streams – a sustainable business model has ensured we continue to strengthen our impact.
• expanding our fundraising clothes sales as an important stream of income, a way of engaging community and protecting the environment!
• collaborating with other like-minded organisations to amplify our impact.

• Continue to innovate our support services to ensure we reach EVERYONE facing barriers to employment.  We want to grow our Mobile Dressing Services to meet demand and build on the initial work with the FutureFIT program supporting young people.   We have the capability, insights and commitment – having the resources to do this is critical for us.
• Continue to expand our referring provider network to ensure the objective of extending our reach is achieved!  We have formed wonderful partnerships this year with providers and there are many more who will benefit working with us to help jobseekers get work!
• Continue to grow and enhance our Job Readiness Coaching services – we have extraordinary in-house expertise and talent and know that our coaching services are effective – the potential of this value proposition is significant to support all jobseekers.